Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre Visual Story

Cérge logo — inclusive access and companion technology

Arrival to Portland Leisure Centre

Portland Leisure and Aquatic Centre, located on Bentinck Street in Portland, Victoria, provides free parking, including accessible car parking spaces. Accessible by public transportation, the centre is situated near two bus stops.

Upon arrival, visitors can walk through the car park, proceeding through a pedestrian lane towards a low-rise brick building adorned with banners on both sides. Entry to the centre is facilitated through glass doors, ensuring a straightforward and accessible arrival experience.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Vehicle sounds
  2. Birds chirping
  3. Trees rustling
  4. External weather conditions
  5. Crunching gravel
Smell

Smells

  1. Fresh air
  2. Vehicles exhaust (occasional)
  3. External weather conditions
  4. Coastal air
Touch

Feel

  1. Change in floor surfaces
  2. Excitement & anticipation
  3. Elevated heart rate
  4. External weather conditions
Sight

Sight

  1. Parked vehicles
  2. Low set, brown building
  3. Pedestrians
  4. Trees & gardens
  5. Urban setting

Entrance to Portland Leisure Centre

Upon entry to the right, a reception desk is positioned, accompanied by large flat screens mounted on the wall. A table with chairs is arranged for seating directly ahead.

An accessible change room is situated to the left and includes a shower with bench seat, and an adult changing table with hoist. Female change rooms are also available to the left, whilst the male change rooms are to the right of the reception counter.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Beeping & buzzing
  2. People talking & laughing
  3. Instructions from staff
  4. Music
  5. Toilet sounds (in bathroom)
Smell

Smells

  1. Café aroma
  2. Chlorine
  3. Air conditioning
  4. Carpet
  5. Cleaning products (faint)
Touch

Feel

  1. Close proximity to others
  2. Interpersonal anxiety
  3. Money/credit card handling
  4. Queueing
  5. Relief (in bathrooms)
Sight

Sight

  1. Colourful signage
  2. Retail items for sale
  3. Marketing materials
  4. Blue carpet
  5. People queuing

Indoor Aquatic Centre

Directly ahead from reception is the indoor aquatic facility which include an indoor, heated, five lane 25m swimming pool with ramp access as well as a hoist. An aquatic wheelchair is also available for use.

The indoor, multi-purpose pool hosts programs like Splish Splash Aqua Playgroup, Group Exercise classes, and dedicated slots for hydrotherapy exercises and has a replica of a shark and a dolphin hanging from the ceiling.

There is seating available surrounding these facilities and the pools are housed in a large, steel structure with corrugated iron ceiling and blue balustrades. There is a sauna accessible to those aged 16 and above.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Children laughing & yelling
  2. Water splashing & running
  3. Music
  4. Instructions from staff
  5. Echo
Smell

Smells

  1. Chlorine (medium)
  2. Humidity
  3. Air conditioning
  4. Wet clothes & towels
Touch

Feel

  1. Wet (when in water)
  2. Fun & enjoyment (splashing in the water)
  3. Wet floor
  4. Close proximity to others
  5. Elevated body temperature
Sight

Sight

  1. Splashing water
  2. People swimming
  3. Children laughing & playing
  4. Blue colour scheme
  5. Replica shark & dolphin

Gym Rooms

Located adjacent to the 25m swimming pool is the Group Fitness Centre, the Health club and the Wellness Studio. Access to the Group Fitness Centre is via manual opening, glass doors. This room has a grey carpeted floor, and is a bright and open space used for group classes including Spin classes.

The Health Club is also accessed via manual glass doors and leads into a well lit room with grey, rubber floor matting and is filled with a range of exercise equipment for cardio, weight training and free weights section. 

The Wellness Studio has a timber finished floor, and bright white surfaces with blue trim and is mostly used for Pilate classes. There are marketing materials and signage on display outside these rooms.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Banging & clanging of equipment
  2. Grunting & groaning of people training
  3. Music
  4. Water splashing (distant)
  5. Instructions from coaches
Smell

Smells

  1. Sporting ointment (occasional)
  2. Sweat (occasional)
  3. Air conditioning
  4. Humidity
  5. Carpet & rubber matting
Touch

Feel

  1. Elevated heart rate
  2. Close proximity to others
  3. Exhilaration
  4. Change in floor surfaces
  5. Exhaustion
Sight

Sight

  1. Contrasting colours
  2. Exercise equipment
  3. People exercising vigorously
  4. Bright lights
  5. Glare

Outdoor Aquatic Centre

Moving past reception towards the indoor aquatic facilities and turning left, leads past the sauna and out to the Outdoor Aquatic Centre through automatic, glass sliding doors. These facilities are used seasonally.

Directly ahead, past the pool security fencing is the outdoor toddler pool heated to 28 degrees with a blue, shade sail over the pool. Following the concrete path around to the right leads to the outdoor 50m and 25m swimming pools which are heated to 28 degrees.

There are structures available to seek shelter from the external weather conditions and seating is also available. The area is surrounded by gardens and shrubs.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Water saplshing & running
  2. Children yelling & laughing
  3. People walking & talking
  4. Instructions from staff
Smell

Smells

  1. Fresh coastal air
  2. External weather conditions
  3. Chlorine (mild)
  4. Grass
  5. Bird smells
Touch

Feel

  1. Wet (when in water)
  2. Open space
  3. Calm & relaxed
  4. Change in floor surfaces
  5. Elevated heart rate
Sight

Sight

  1. Multiple swimming pools
  2. Children playing & splashing
  3. Swimming pools
  4. Gardens & shrubs
  5. People swimming
Two hands shaking Thankyou graphic

Thank You

For all suggestions to improve our Visual Stories contact info@cerge.app and join the Facebook community to get involved /cergecommunity.